Carytown Optical offers high-quality lenses made by the world’s leading ophthalmology companies such as Bluetech, Essilor, Optics, Shamir, Seiko and Kodak. These reputable manufactures use free-form eyeglass lens manufacturing technology (see below) that allows you to get better optics and changes the way you see forever.
Our top priority at Carytown Optical in Richmond, VA is to make certain that your prescription for lenses is done correctly and you experience natural vision. Our opticians will recommend the type of lens and lens materials to best suit your personal needs and preferences.
With so many lens features available, you need to make informed choices and be aware of the guarantees that come with those choices. The best way is to view a physical sample. One glance at a reflection free or polarized sample will instantly show its benefits to you. Click here to for more detail on eyeglass lens options.
Please visit these pages for more information on the Ophthalmology Companies that we represent:
- BluTech Eyeglass Lenses – click here
- Essilor Eyeglass Lenses – click here
- Shamir Lenses – click here
The basic steps for you as a patient of Carytown Optical to get quality prescriptions eyeglasses:
- Get a prescription (available at Carytown Optical) digitally by scanning your eyes using specialized equipment to collect several data points on each eye. Read more about eyeglass prescription terminology – click here
- Choose a frame and optimize your lenses (see eyeglass lens options – click here) to fit the frame.
- Manufacturing of lenses and fitting them to your frame.
- Pickup your eyeglass and we will do all the final adjustments to make them fit perfectly.
Eyeglass lenses correct refractive errors within the eyes. When choosing lenses, keep in mind that the higher the refractive index, the thinner the lens. The lens power that you need to ensure high-quality vision is indicated on the eyeglass prescription from your eye doctor. The lens power to correct refractive errors in the eyes is measured in diopters (D). If you are nearsighted, the value is negative (thinner in the center and thicker at the edge) and farsighted it is positive (thicker in the center and thinner at the edge).
If you want thinner and lighter lenses that are attractive and comfortable, choose high-index eyeglass lenses. High-index lenses (lens material with a refractive index that’s higher than that of glass, i.e. 1.523) are particularly suggested if you have a strong eyeglass prescription for astigmatism, farsightedness or nearsightedness. The stronger the prescription for nearsightedness, the thicker the lens edges as mentioned before. The edges of the lens are most visible, and when thick, can detract from the look of your eyewear. With trendy frames made of plastic and metal, the rim is thinner than the lens and with popular rimless frames, the lens edges are completely exposed.
Some of our lenses come standard with UV400 protection, which gives a high level of protection. Your lens will block 100% of all harmful ultraviolet light from the sun (These lenses block light rays with wavelengths up to 400 nanometers, so your eyes are shielded from even the tiniest UV rays.)
Eyeglass lens selection process is outlined below (also see lens options page – click here):
- Select Eyeglass Lens: Decide if you want a prescription or non-prescription lens. If you choose prescription lenses, you need to provide the prescription strength (Low Prescription (< +/- 2 spherical power), Medium Prescription (Between +/- 2-4 spherical power) and High Prescription (> +/- 4 spherical power).
- Select Lens Type: Decide between Sun/Transition or Clear lenses.
- Select Lens Material: Depending on your prescription, you can select lens material as follows:
- Non Prescription Lenses – Plastic Lenses, Polycarbonate Lenses & Trivex Lenses
- Low Prescription Lenses – Plastic Lenses, Polycarbonate Lenses & Trivex Lenses
- Medium Prescription Lenses – Polycarbonate Lenses, Trivex Lenses and High Index 1.67 Lenses
- High Prescription Lenses – Trivex Lenses, High Index 1.67 Lenses & High Index 1.74 Lenses
- For Sunglasses: Choose a Sun Protection Lens Option between:
- Solid Lens Tinting & Ultra-Violet Filter
- Transition Lenses – Light Changing Lenses
- Polarized Lenses – Ultra Lite Style Sun Lenses
- Consider Coating Options: Choose from:
- Premium AR Coating for Plastic, Polycarbonate, Trivex and High Index 1.67 Lenses
- UV Protection Coating for Plastic Lenses (Not needed if you select Blue Light Protection)
- Crizal Avance Coating with Scotch Guard Coating for all lenses
- Crizal Sapphire Coating for all lenses
- Blue Clear lens (Blue Light Protection) for Plastic, Polycarbonate and High Index 1.67 Lenses
- Crizal Sun Coating (Crizal SunShield) for Solid Tint and Polarized Lenses)
Consider Polished Lens Edges: Especially for rimless, semi rimless and metal frames
Free-form lens manufacturing is a revolutionary digital manufacturing process that uses computer-aided design and surfacing (grinding and polishing) to create high-level, customized eyeglass lenses with your unique prescription. Free-form technology uses digital-point technology that uniquely identifies each point on a lens and uses a router bit-type tool guided by a computer program, which makes it possible to alter the surface geometry of a lens in very sophisticated ways. With this technology, the ophthalmic industry is no longer tied to base-curve restrictions and the digitally generated curves can be extremely sophisticated.
Aspheric and atoric lenses, such as progressive lenses, are easily attainable because the surface geometry of the lens can be altered in nearly limitless ways to meet the unique visual task requirements and lifestyle needs of individual patients
Benefits of customized free-form lenses include improved visual clarity, outstanding night/low light vision, exceptional contrast perception and brilliant color vision. The patients that will benefit the most are those with complex prescriptions and those wearing progressive lens eyeglasses.